Elaine Knochenmus

Elaine Knochenmus, age 94, of Balaton, Minnesota, entered her Heavenly home on December 21, 2025. She died surrounded by family at the Lakeview Assisted Living in Balaton. Funeral Services are 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 29, 2025, at Victory Christian Church in Balaton, Minnesota. Following a luncheon at the church, interment will be in Lakeside Cemetery, Balaton, Minnesota. Visitation will be held one hour prior to her celebration of life, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. on Monday, at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Lakeview Senior Housing in Balaton or the Balaton United Methodist Church.

Lily Etta Elaine Johnson was born on August 6, 1931, to Fred and Anna (Moberg) Johnson in Louriston Township, south of Murdock, Minnesota. She was baptized at her parents’ farm home and confirmed at Buffalo Lake Mission Church in Louriston Township. Elaine was the youngest of nine children and attended country school through 8th grade before going to high school in Murdock.

Elaine was united in marriage to Fritz Knochenmus on April 10, 1948, in the Lutheran Church in Brainerd, Minnesota. They spent the first three years of their marriage in Murdock before moving to Balaton, Minnesota, on July 1, 1951. The couple had four incredible children: Elaine, Gary, Jon, and Julie. While Fritz worked for and later became co-owner of the Balaton Elevator Company, Elaine was a waitress at Schave’s Cafe. She then trained to become a home health aide and was part of the first class certified to serve in Lyon County. Elaine worked as an aide for Lyon County Health for five years and showed deep love and compassion for the elderly. She was proud to be part of the opening day of the Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Balaton in March of 1973. Elaine served as a nurse's aide before taking the training for Technical Medication Administration at Pipestone Vocational School in Pipestone, Minnesota.

Her true passion was making life fun and memorable for the residents, so Elaine accepted the position of Activities Director and served in that role for 15 years before retiring in August of 1995. Elaine was committed to bringing her grandkids along to volunteer each week for Bingo, bowling, or crafts - teaching them that everyone deserved to feel valued and cared for. Elaine was active in the regional and state-wide Association for Activity Professionals where she helped many other activity directors become certified. She was even President of the association for a year. Elaine served two years on the Red Cross Regional Board of Lyon County, was very active at the Methodist Church of Balaton, and remained active in many community organizations.

During their retirement years, Fritz and Elaine would winter at Val Vista Village in Mesa, Arizona, where they would meet lifelong friends. Even after Fritz’s death in May of 2007, Elaine continued to spend her winters in sunny Arizona. In the summer months, she would volunteer in the community and at the Colonial Manor. Elaine worked at the Lakeside Senior Housing complex in Balaton when it first opened, again to help out. Her favorite thing to do was spend time with her kids, grandkids, great-grandkids and great-great grandkids. She would always have a “treat” ready and of course, the prized Fisher Price Castle available to play with. She was loyal to her 8:00 am coffee friends at Benson’s By The Lake and to her Friday night Widows Group that met at the Balaton Bay Golf Course.

Elaine found joy in taking care of her flowers and garden, crocheting, traveling, or reading a good book in her free time. She also enjoyed following the Minnesota Vikings, Twins, and the Phoenix Suns. Elaine was so grateful to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and in her later years enjoyed watching church services online as it got harder for her to attend in person. She had it timed out perfectly to catch Pastor Lori and the Methodist service, and then to watch her grandsons (through marriage) Doug Wing (Grace Life Church, Marshall) and Matt Cherry (Victory Church, Balaton) each preach their sermons. She would send them notes of encouragement to tell them how much she enjoyed the message. She would often say, “I don’t know how people do life without Jesus.”

Elaine had a unique ability to make everyone feel accepted, seen, and valued. She would remember special details, take the time to listen, and was so careful to honor those she loved.

Elaine died peacefully and surrounded by family on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at Lakeside Senior Housing in Balaton. She reached the age of 94 years, 4 months, and 15 days. Blessed be her memory.

She is survived by her children, Elaine May, Gary (Corrine) Knochenmus, Niter Knochenmus and Julie (Mike) Benson; 11 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Elaine was preceded in death by her husband, Fritz; parents, Fred and Anna Johnson; son, Jon Knochenmus; sons-in-law, Tuck May, Tom Odegarden; two brothers; six sisters; and special friend, Lou Onnembo.